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Save the Date: Workers Stand for America Rally on Aug. 11

The campaign, "Workers Stand for America," kicks off with two major events. The first is a rally on Aug. 11 in Philadelphia that will bring together tens of thousands of workers to focus attention on jobs and the needs of working men and women -- the country's economic engine.

The second is what leaders are calling the "Second Bill of Rights," which will be presented to delegates at both the DNC and RNC conventions. Inspired by President Franklin Roosevelt's proposed 1944 economic bill of rights, it has five planks: The right to full employment and a living wage; the right to full participation in the electoral process; the right to a voice at work; the right to a quality education; and the right to a secure, healthy future.

"The voices of working families will be heard in the birthplace of American democracy, at the convention and beyond. And we're asking elected officials, leaders on both side of the aisle and people around the country to stand with us," said CWA District 2-13 Vice President Ed Mooney. "We're determined to create economic growth and prosperity for all — not just the elite few."

Activities in Philadelphia kick off on Friday night, Aug. 10, at Independence Hall where national labor leaders will be signing the Second Bill of Rights.

On Saturday morning, thousands of CWA and IBEW activists and allies will rally in front of Verizon at 9th and Race Streets in support of the 45,000 Verizon workers who continue to fight for a fair contract.

Activists will then march to Eakins Oval, a large park in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where they'll join the crowd rallying for working families.

CWA locals are reaching out to allies to build even more support at the rally, said CWA Local 13000 Vice President Mike Davis.

In a letter to national and international union presidents, AFL-CIO President Rich Trumka asked for help mobilizing and spreading the word about Aug. 11, an "opportunity to connect the faces of ordinary Americans to the basic issues affecting working people in our country."

"Are you with us?" asked Trumka at a media conference at the National Press Club, inviting elected officials on both sides of the aisle to join. "Are you with the American people?"